Improvement in shoe-knives



I. A. DUNH'AM.

SHOE-KNIFE: No177,6Z7. Patented May 23,1876.

N- PEI'ERS. PNOTO-ITHHOGRAPMER, WASHINGTON D C IMPROVEMENT IN SHOE-KNIVES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No.

April and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof,'

which will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same,

- reference being had to the accompanying drawing, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

In such drawing, Figures 1 and 2 are opposite side elevations of an implement constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 3 is an edge view, and Fig. 4 a longitudinal section, of the same. Figs. 5 and 6 are side elevations of different-formed knives adapted for use in my implement.

My invention is especially designed for trimming or paring off the edgesof boot and shoe soles, and is intended as a substitute for the ordinary shoemakers knife, its object being to remedy sundry defects incident to the use of the latter; and my invention consists in the peculiar construction, combination, and arrangement ofthe parts, as hereinafter described and claimed.

In using the ordinary shoe-knife in trimming the edge of the sole, the knife-blade is grasped'between the thumb and index-finger of the operators hand, the finger resting on the lower face or bottom of the sole, serving as theonly guide to regulate the depth of the cut of the knife. This is not only an uncertain method of regulating the cutting-edge of the knife to the thickness of the edge to be trimmed, but is liable to cut the finger of the operator, as well as tocut or nick the upper of the boot or shoe. My invention obviates these evils.

-In the drawing, A denotes the handle of the implement. B is the stock, which consists of a rectangular metallic plate, having its lower end firmly secured to the handle. This plate is formed with a flange, a, on each of its edges, such flanges being parallel, and extending outward at right angles to its face.

177,627, dated May 23, 1876; application filed C is the knife-blade, whose shank at its lower end is formed with an open curved slot, such shank being inserted in the stock between the flanges a a. D is an adjustable guardplate, which is arranged flatwise upon one side of the blade, the plate D having a slot made longitudinally through it, a set-screw, 12, passing through such slot, and the slot formed in the shank of the knife serving to confine the said plate and knife to the stock. The outer end of the plate D is formed with a convex lip, d,disposed in a plane at right angle to its face and that of the blade, such lip inclining downwardtoward the. edge of the knife, and, when the implement is in use, restingon the bottom of the sole to be trimmed, the object of this inclination or dip of the lip being to allow the operator to incline the edge of the knife more or less, to conform to the thickness of the edge or edges of somewhat varying thicknesses without longitudinal adjustment of the guard, and at the same time allow the lip to have a firm bearing on the bottom of the sole. The blade 0 is formed with a curved slot, e, in its shank, the object of such being to allow the edge of the knife, as it may become worn, to be moved up, so as to preserve its proper relation with respect to the front edge of the guard, and also allow its edge to be brought forward, so as to adapt it to cut with any desired degree of drawing stroke.

I would remark that I do not confine my invention to the form of blade as hereinbefore described, as others of various forms may be used-such, for instance, as those shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

From the above it will be seen that the required length to the cutting -'edge of the knife, and, when adjusted to meet the greatest thickness of the edges to be trimmed, by simply tipping the knife, so as to cause the guard to bear upon different parts of the inclined face, such may be readily varied to meet the depth of cut required.

Having described my invention, whatI claim is The improved implement as described, con- Prion..-

guard may be readily adjusted to give any sisting of the handle A, the stock B, formed In testimony that I claim the foregoing as with flanges a a, the adjustable guide-plate my own invention I aflix my signature in pres- D, provided with the curved inclined guard ence of two witnesses.

' or lip d, the detachable blade 0, having a slot- ISAAC A. DUN HAM.

ted shank, and the set-screw b, arranged and Witnesses: combined together substantially as shown and F. P. HALE, described. F. O. HALE. 

